Within a single season, a limited series can tell a cohesive and riveting story that will leave viewers stunned. 2024 has been a stellar year for miniseries of different genres. For example, Netflix's Baby Reindeer became a global sensation, and FX's Shogun even secured a second season after starting as a limited series. They have joined other beloved miniseries in the past few years, like Dopesick and The Queen's Gambit, as some of the best of the 2020s thus far.

However, there have also been plenty of limited series over the years that have fallen under the radar due to competition, less word of mouth, and lower popularity. One strong example from 2024 is Hulu's Clipped, which chronicles one of the NBA's biggest scandals. The show is already tracking to become underappreciated among other recent miniseries. There are a good handful of limited series that deserve more recognition, from Station Eleven to other recent shows like The Sympathizer and Masters of the Air.

10 Catch-22 is a Decent Adaptation of a Famous Novel

• IMDB Rating: 7.7
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 84%
• Watch on Hulu

Joseph Heller's classic novel Catch-22 was first released in 1961 and received praise for its blend of historical war with clever satire. After a film adaptation in 1970, it wouldn't be until 2019 that Catch-22 received another adaptation. The 2019 Hulu miniseries follows U.S. Air Force bombardier Yossarian during World War II, who grows increasingly conflicted about his place in the war. Throughout the six-episode series, Yossarian must deal with the army increasing the number of missions, and he grows afraid that he might die in one of them.

Yossarian tries to find a way out of his assignments, but his superiors keep finding ways to prevent him from leaving. Hulu's Catch-22 has a terrific lead performance by Christopher Abbott and features a supporting cast that features names like George Clooney, Hugh Laurie, and Kyle Chandler. Plus, like the novel, the show finds a strong balance between showing the harrowing realities of war and incorporating dark comedy that will make viewers chuckle. Considering the iconic source material and talent involved, this version of Catch-22 has still faded from people's minds.

9 The Performances in Pam & Tommy Should Not Go Unnoticed

• IMDB Rating: 7.3
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 78%
• Watch on Hulu

In the mid-to-late 1990s, Hollywood actress Pamela Anderson and Mötley Crüe drummer Tommy Lee became one of the most popular couples that were covered in the media. Their relationship was presented through the Hulu miniseries Pam & Tommy, which stars Lily James and Sebastian Stan. The series showcases the timeline of the couple's relationship and tackles the events surrounding a leaked sex tape involving the two that put them further into the spotlight.

Pam & Tommy puts in an effort to present how much 1990s culture compares and contrasts with today's society. The infamous sex tape is considered one of the first viral videos in history, and Pam & Tommy does not hold back about how the subjects and the public reacted. The highlight of the series is undoubtedly the lead performances of Lily James and Sebastian Stan, who are unrecognizable in the titular roles. Alongside those two, the supporting cast includes Seth Rogen, Nick Offerman, and Taylor Schilling. Pam & Tommy has been mostly overshadowed by controversy after Pamela Anderson herself disowned the series, which may explain why it's still underappreciated.

8 WeCrashed Details The Rise And Fall of WeWork

• IMDB Rating: 7.3
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 65%
• Watch on Apple TV+

Anyone who remembers how big of a company WeWork was in its prime will be reminded after watching the Apple TV+ miniseries WeCrashed. Anne Hathaway and Jared Leto star as business couple Rebekah and Adam Neumann. The Neumanns started up the promising company WeWork, whose goal was to create flexible office spaces for many people and companies to work in. However, as Rebekah and Adam grew more ambitious, WeWork, which was worth billions of dollars, took a steep plummet in value.

WeCrashed presents a relevant lesson about the dangers of transforming a company into a larger success, since the biggest risks can lead to an inevitable downfall. Anne Hathaway draws viewers' attention as Rebekah Neumann, while Jared Leto delivers one of his better performances as her husband Adam. WeCrashed is a miniseries that seems too outlandish to be based on a true story because the Neumanns and their co-workers keep getting way over their heads. While WeCrashed is an engaging limited series, Apple TV+ users will have to look hard through the service's vast library of shows to find it.

7 Under The Banner of Heaven Combines Religious Themes With a Disturbing Mystery

• IMDB Rating: 7.5
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 86%
• Watch on Hulu

Andrew Garfield is one of the best actors working in the film industry today, yet Under the Banner of Heaven was one of the few times he worked on television. Based on a harrowing true story, Under the Banner of Heaven features Garfield playing Detective Jeb Pyre, who must investigate the murders of Brenda Lafferty and her child. While working on the case, Jeb discovers some dark truths about the Lafferty family, who are heavily devoted to their religious beliefs.

What makes Under the Banner of Heaven a unique miniseries is its mixture of religious themes with a dark crime story. Jeb Pyre is a protagonist who struggles with an internal conflict throughout the seven-episode run. As a detective, he finds unsettling clues about Brenda's murder, which causes his religious faith to get tested. Garfield delivers another stellar lead performance and is backed up by a brilliant ensemble cast that includes Daisy Edgar-Jones, Sam Worthington, Wyatt Russell, and Gil Birmingham. With all the acclaim it received, Under the Banner of Heaven ultimately didn't make a lot of noise at the award shows.

6 Generation Kill Provided a Gripping Look Into The Iraq War

• IMDB Rating: 8.5
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 86%
• Watch on MAX

HBO has crafted some of the best war and military shows ever, with Band of Brothers being a notable and unforgettable example. Compared to that miniseries, Generation Kill, which is set during the Iraq War, often gets forgotten. The show is based on Evan Wright's non-fiction book, chronicling various Marines and an accompanying Rolling Stone reporter as they face several challenges in their pursuit of reaching Baghdad during the first weeks of the war.

The series is co-created by David Simon, who is best known for making one of the best TV shows of all time, The Wire. While Generation Kill is full of explosive action one would expect from a military series, it also takes time to explore the soldiers' mindsets. The show also documents what Wright, a featured and crucial character in Generation Kill, saw during his time with the battalion of soldiers. The Iraq War was a gripping event that began in the early 2000s, and Generation Kill felt relevant when it was airing. In present times, Generation Kill seems lost in the large array of other HBO shows and limited series.

5 The Sympathizer is a Thrilling Spy Series Set During The Vietnam War

• IMDB Rating: 6.9
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 88%
• Watch on MAX

After winning an Oscar for his supporting performance in Oppenheimer, Robert Downey Jr. followed it up with another high-quality project, HBO's The Sympathizer. In the series, Downey Jr. produces and plays four different characters, some of whom even interact with each other. However, he is not the main focus. The Sympathizer centers on a communist spy called the Captain, who goes undercover with the South Vietnamese army and travels to the United States during the end of the Vietnam War.

Hoa Xuande delivers a star-making turn as the Captain, marking a step forward for Vietnamese representation. The Captain is a fascinating character that viewers learn about across seven episodes. He eventually becomes caught between his secret mission and the life he develops in the United States. As mentioned, Robert Downey Jr. becomes an occasional scene-stealer with each distinctive character he plays. Using non-linear storytelling and sharp editing choices, The Sympathizer does a brilliant job displaying the famed historical conflict while giving insight into events people probably don't know about. While still regarded as one of the best 2024 series, The Sympathizer has not been the most discussed among the public.

4 Defending Jacob Features One of Chris Evans' Best Performances

• IMDB Rating: 7.8
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 70%
• Watch on Apple TV+

Everyone knows Chris Evans as a blockbuster star, with the Marvel Cinematic Universe and Knives Out being some of his best works. However, people tend to forget how much of a great dramatic actor he can be, as seen on the Apple TV+ show Defending Jacob. Evans plays Andy Barber, an attorney who finds out his 14-year-old son, Jacob, is accused of murdering one of his classmates. So, Andy and his wife Laurie try to look for answers that could prove his innocence.

Defending Jacob is an emotional series that provides one of the biggest nightmares a parent could have when their child gets put on trial. The show can be slow-paced and extremely devastating to watch at times, but the performances by the cast make the journey worth it. As Andy, Chris Evans gives a spectacular performance as a man torn between his job with the law and the love he has for his son. Michelle Dockery and Jaeden Martell are equally enthralling as Laurie and Jacob. Crime miniseries are typically memorable, yet Defending Jacob has not made the hugest impact on the genre.

3 Devs is an Inventive Sci-Fi Series

• IMDB Rating: 7.6
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 82%
• Watch on Hulu

Alex Garland has become a modern visionary for the science fiction genre with hits like Ex Machina and Annihilation. After giving two new classics in the genre, he took his writing and directing expertise to television with the Hulu series Devs. The show is about a revolutionary tech company called Amaya and a software engineer named Lily who investigates it. Once inside, Lily learns about the mysterious CEO Forest and a secret division called Devs that has technology that could change the world.

Like any riveting sci-fi series, Devs takes its time exploring the futuristic environment and the many questions it asks about technology. Several intriguing themes are incorporated throughout Devs' eight episodes, including free will, determinism, and how far technology can be pushed. The cast is magnificent, especially Nick Offerman, who gives an atypically dramatic portrayal of company CEO Forest. Thought-provoking and visually stunning, Devs is a perfect watch for any die-hard genre fan, yet the miniseries has joined other largely overlooked sci-fi shows.

2 Masters of The Air is a Thrilling War Epic About World War II Pilots

• IMDB Rating: 7.8
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 85%
• Watch on Apple TV+

After working on the unforgettable HBO shows Band of Brothers and The Pacific, producers Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks developed another war miniseries, but this time for Apple TV+. As a companion piece to the previous World War II-set shows, Masters of the Air focuses on the battles that happened above rather than on the ground. The series follows enlisted pilots of the Air Force's 100th Bomb Group as they engage in several dangerous missions to achieve victory during the war.

Masters of the Air made for a captivating war story with the same level of quality as Band of Brothers and The Pacific. However, since it was on Apple TV+, which is lesser-known than HBO, the show has not gotten the high amount of love it deserves. The aerial sequences and action are entertaining to watch, given the series had a justifiably high budget. Also, the ensemble cast has esteemed actors playing the pilots, including standout performers like Austin Butler, Callum Turner, and Barry Keoghan. Once a few years have passed, Masters of the Air will hopefully get more appreciation.

1 Station Eleven is One of The Best Post-Apocalyptic Shows Ever

• IMDB Rating: 7.6
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 98%
• Watch on MAX

Station Eleven was already an excellent post-apocalyptic novel, so the TV adaptation did its source material justice and made it into an emotional roller-coaster of a series for viewers. Following the same premise of the book, Station Eleven centers on two storylines. One follows the beginning phases of the deadly flu that wipes out most of the human race, while the other is set years later and centers on a theatrical troupe of survivors trying to rebuild the world as it once was.

Protagonist Kirsten Raymonde is a key character in both storylines. As a young girl, she waits out the worst of the virus with her companion Jeevan. Then, she leads a hopeful survivor group in the future as an adult. Although Station Eleven's premise of a virus wiping out the world was too close to home during the time it was airing, the show still found ways to mix the dire situation with glimpses of hope. Furthermore, Station Eleven is beautiful with its worldbuilding and scenery, emotional with its increasing stakes, and rewarding thanks to the cast's performances. Station Eleven has now been considered a modern classic in post-apocalyptic storytelling, and viewers who originally missed out on it should give it a chance now.